Rethinking Custom New Home Designs: Embracing Square Footage and Functionality

Craig has been designing and building custom new homes for the past 34-years so he has seen his share of trends that come and go. 2023 is on track to mirror last year with lifestyles shifting due to the pandemic.

Floor plans continue to stay open and flexible
We are seeing the continued emphasis on open and flexible floor plans which is expected to continue in the coming year, as more and more homeowners look to build a custom home that is versatile and adaptable.

This trend is widely driven by the desire for a home that can adapt not only to changing family needs, but a change in lifestyle that includes working from home. Homeowners have come to appreciate the impact that their home itself has on their mental wellbeing as a safe haven and an oasis.

Main floor master bedroom suites are still the popular layout choice for custom new home designs. This main floor living offers convenience and accessibility for homeowners. It’s a great aging in place measure as well and makes for a perfect forever-home floor plan.

Formal spaces are out – family spaces are IN!

The focus of design layout is dedicating square footage for our homeowners specific lifestyle. Formal dining rooms are simply out! Flex spaces are IN and we are loving it. Floorplans with an open kitchen and family room remain a high priority with lots of storage. Large open dining spaces are in the kitchen space for the family which can be dressed up or dressed down depending upon the occasion.

Home offices are a MUST!

We have designed a home office for nearly every home we’ve built since the beginning of the pandemic with varying degrees of square footage. Designs range from a full office tucked away in a private part of the home, to what we refer to as a pocket office which minimizes the amount of square footage used while giving the homeowner a space to sneak in a zoom meeting without interruption. These smaller spaces are growing in popularity as homeowners desire the convenience of a home office without sacrificing valuable space within the home.

The return of scullery pantries

Our clients are looking for a custom new home design that includes a larger and more functional kitchen that is perfect for comfort and entertaining. And, they are obsessed with a pantry but not a traditional storage space. They are looking for a scullery pantry which is a small kitchen area that is separate from the main kitchen and is designed for food preparation, storage, and cleaning.

Outdoor living is important

Homeowners are spending so much time at home that their outdoor living space has become just as important as the indoor living space. We are designing and building large rear porch spaces with built-in cooking and seating. These outdoor spaces are specifically designed for dining alfresco, relaxing, and entertaining.

These trends reflect the importance of one positive result of the pandemic which is that home is really where it’s at! And being at home has shown us what we really want in a home and how we can make our spaces flow to maximize our lifestyle experiences.